Coaches Corner > Coaching 301
Certification
Are You Qualified? Discover the number of safety training, certification and credentialing programs at your fingertips.
Whether you’re a veteran who’s helped countless teams win national titles, an assistant who helps out with recreation teams during football season or a newbie who’s taking over a team because there was no one else interested in the job, you need to take your role of coach seriously and responsibly. The skills, rules and safety concerns in cheerleading are always evolving. With just a little effort and time on your part, you can learn to create the safest environment for your cheerleaders while saving yourself from potential headaches and lawsuits.
The top reasons you should seek certification:
- You’ll establish credibility among your peers and give your athletes’ parents peace of mind.
- You’ll help contribute to the legitimacy of sideline and competitive cheerleading.
- You’ll be showing your commitment to creating and maintaining a safe environment for your cheerleaders to learn and grow.
- You’ll be better equipped to coach kids of varying age and skill levels.
- You’ll be up-to-date on the latest spotting and training techniques for a range of skills.
- You could prevent injuries form happening by knowing how to teach proper skill progression.
- You’ll meet a network of coaches during conferences and on-site courses to exchange information and ideas with throughout the year.
Here are a few of the many training outlets that exist to educate coaches like yourself.
National Federation of State High School Associations
American Cheer Power
American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators
National Council for Spirit Safety and Education
Nation’s Leading Cheerleading Companies Safety and Awareness Conference and DVD
U.S. All Star Federation
Excerpt from American Cheerleader Coach’s Handbook 2007